Forty-five

Dare and Emma stood hand in hand on the quarterdeck, watching Ilhas Desertas shrink as they sailed around the rocky island to Madeira. “Perhaps I could persuade you to return to my cabin, and we could begin where we left off,” whispered Dare.

Emma smiled. “We could, but you have once again been injured. My first object will be to treat your wounds, and of course, you must change into dry clothes.”

“Perhaps I could beg your assistance,” returned Dare slyly. “Nothing can restore me to health faster than being close to you.”

“Then as your physician, I shall prescribe heavy doses of my company.”

Dare’s mouth twitched into a smile, and then to her great surprise, and the shock of the men around them, Dare broke into a laugh.

Everyone stared.

“You’ve made him plumb lose his mind,” stammered Everett, wide-eyed.

“Mr. Everett?” asked Dare, returning to his senses.

“We are almost in sight of Madeira. Go tend to your lovely bride.”

Dare led her down the narrow stairs to his ready room. He locked the door behind them, then guided her into his private quarters and locked that too.

“I see I will not be getting away,” Emma observed with a smile.

“Never. I’ve spent too long trying to catch you as it is.”

“Now that you have me, what shall you do?”

Dare motioned for her to sit on the bed and he sat beside her. He leaned close and whispered in her ear. “I might have a few ideas.”

She brushed her cheek against his and spoke softly into his ear. “Why are we whispering?”

“Because I like it.” His breath was warm on her neck. He followed the statement with a line of kisses down her neck, to the hollow of her throat.

“Oh. Yes. I like it too.”

“Emma?”

“Yes?” She looked into his eyes, wide with an earnest emotion she had rarely seen on his face. She had rarely seen any emotion on his face.

“Could I be so bold as to request the removal of your gown?”

Emma smiled. “Since we are husband and wife, I think it is customary.”

“Good.”

“But you must join me in a state of undress. I should really look at your wounds.”

“They are fine,” he said, having to tug a bit to remove his wet jacket.

“You’ve bled through your linens, again,” she accused, looking at where he was stabbed through the skin under his arm.

“Don’t care.” He divested himself of his waistcoat and cravat. “May I help with the buttons?”

Emma turned to accept his assistance, and soon she found herself wearing nothing more than her chemise.

“You are beautiful.”

“And you are bleeding!” Emma shook her head. “I really must ask you to stop this.” She helped him to remove his shirt and admired his muscular chest as she wrapped a bandage around him to dress the wound.

“Perhaps this is my way of getting your attention.” He smiled at her again, soft and quick, one that might easily be missed, but it was a smile all the same.

“Choose another way,” she directed.

He pulled her into his embrace and ran his fingers through her loose curls. “Why is your hair down?”

“I was distracting the enemy crew so your men could prepare to attack and flee.”

“I cannot approve of you revealing anything to anyone,” he growled. “Except me,” he added. He drew her to him, kissing her decidedly on the mouth.

“There is one thing about my time with you that has been a great disappointment to me,” whispered Dare into her ear.

“A disappointment?” Her heart sank.

“Yes. The night we first met, you undressed me. And I was not awake for it,” he accused, a glimmer of humor in his eye. “Quite unfair.”

Emma tried unsuccessfully to suppress a grin. “Yes, I see your point. Is there anything I can do to remedy the situation?”

This time, Dare smiled wide. “Do it again.”

“What?” A blush so hot she wished to fan herself spread across her cheeks.

He did not respond but lay down on his bunk with a look of hopeful expectation. With the rippling muscles of his chest, how could she possibly resist?

“Well, first I removed your boots.”

“Allow me.” He quickly dispensed with the boots and stockings, and lay back down, wearing nothing but his buckskins.

“Well, then I… Your clothes were wet… I needed to remove them…” Heat singed her cheeks as she remembered how she had undressed a perfect stranger.

“Saved my life. Let’s do it again.”

Emma laughed out loud. “Well, first I… Well, I unbuttoned…”

“Yes?”

Emma unbuttoned the fall of his trousers, her hands hovering over him in an intimate manner that made her cheeks burn. She hoped blushing was not a fatal condition or she was doomed. She paused, not knowing how to proceed.

Dare took pity on her and sat back up to kiss her again. This time they both lay down together, covering themselves with a blanket and they both, in between kisses, helped the other remove the remaining layers between them.

Emma sighed contentedly as her skin warmed to his. Despite being a reserved man, his skin was warm, and she snuggled close. He also seemed to be enjoying the closeness, exploring her body with his hands and mouth. Soon, she wanted more. A throbbing need she had never before experienced took control, and she wanted him in a manner quite carnal.

“Emma,” he gasped, emerging from his devoted attention to her breasts. “You must tell me what you like and do not like. I wish…I wish to please you as much as you are pleasing me.”

“Do not stop, for everything that pleases you seems to please me too.”

“I do love you.” He rolled on top of her, propping himself up on his elbows, his chest skimming across hers in a manner that brought stars to her eyes. “I never thought I would ever say that to anyone, ever. But I love you, Miss…” He smiled and closed his eyes, correcting himself. “Lady Darington.”

She was a countess? She could not quite believe she was actually married to the Earl of Darington, the man that she loved. She could not stop smiling. “I love you too.” She pulled him closer, wanting him, needing him.

“With my body, I thee worship,” he said, quoting their marriage vow, and joined with her in a consummation of their love and marriage. There was pain and there was desire as he moved slowly, building up within her a tightening pressure until finally she was tipped over a precipice and waves of pleasure rolled through her as he gasped and shuddered. He collapsed beside her and drew her close.

“My Emma,” he sighed as he fell asleep beside her.

His smile never faded.